Apparatus for assembling components



May 4, 1965 w. G. GRAINGER ETAL 3,181,227

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING COMPONENTS Filed Deo. 1l. 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet lany/Hed lll- -4/7 ATTORNEY May 4, 1965 w. G. GRAINGER ETAL 3,181,227

APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBLING COMPONENTS Filed Deo. l1, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2ATTORNEY United States Patent O ce APPARATUS FOR ASSEMBMNG CGMPNENTSWliliam G. Grainger, Winstoir-alenx, NS., and Delbert E. t ilscn, Magna,Utah, assignors te Western Electric Company incorporated, New Yaris,NSY., a corporation of New York Filed Dec. ll, 1961, Ser. No. 158,432 13Claims. (Cl, 29--25A2) This invention relates to apparatus forassembling com- Y ponents andmore particularly to a device forcontrolling the depth of insertion of components into packages orcontainers.

In manufacturing operations, it is frequently necessary to package orenclose components by inserting them into containers. More particularly,in the manufacture of tantalum anode capacitors, it is'necessary toinsert the anode to apredetermined depth in a capacitor container sothat a fusible substance, such as solder, can maintain Ithe anode in apredetermined spaced relationship with the inner walls of the container.If fused solder is placed in the container prior to insertion oftheanode, it is desirable to prevent the upper surface of the anode frombeing submerged beneath the surface of the solder because electricalcontact between the container and a lead wire attached to the uppersurface of the anode would prevent use of the device as a capacitor.

An object of this invention is to providev a new and y improvedapparatus for assembling a component.

Another object of this invention is to provide a facility that receivesa lead wire that extends from a com.

ponent and inserts the component in a container of electricallyconductive substance but prevents electrical contact between the leadwire and the substance.

Still another object of this invention is the provision of a facilityfor inserting a component into a bath of electrically conductive liquidin conjunction with instrumentalities rendered effective upon apredetermined displacement of the path for interrupting operation of thefacility. t

A further object of the invention is the provision of an electricallyconductive bathtreceived in, a container wherein the operation of a rarnfor advancing a component into the bathis interrupted upon Contact of adisplaced portion ofthe bath with the ram.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an electricalcontrol circuit connected between a press ram and a container mounted ona press bed wherein the circuit is completed by a conductive liquidbeing displaced and'contactinglthe ram upon insertion of a component toa predetermined depth within the container.

yWith these and other objects in View, the present inventioncontemplates an assembly device for inserting an electrical component toa certain depth within a container. A solder pellet is irst placedwithin the container whereupon a heater is energized for melting thesolder pellet to form a solder bath in the container. f A metallic,electrically conductive ram is provided for advancing the component intothe container to displace a portion of the bath. The bath is displacedupwardly into contact with the ram for completing a control circuitwhich interrupts operation of the ram;

Other objects andadvantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed de- 'scriptionv when considered inconjunction with` the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a ram for carrying and advancing acomponent into a container according to the principles of the invention;

i' FIG. 2 is Ia cross-sectional view'taken on' lines 2 2 of FIG. lshowing a solder pellet melted by a heater and displaced into contactwith the ram upon advancement of the component into the container;

GG, 3 is a cross-sectional View taken on lines 3 3 of PEG. 2 showing theinitial downward movement of the ram toward the container wherein thecomponent has commenced displacing the molten solder upwardly;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a partially assembled tantalum anodecapacitor showing the anode or component supported within the containerby the solidified solder; and

FIG. 5 is an electrical schematic diagram of a control circuit that isrendered effective upon displacement of the molten solder into contactwith the ram for interrupting downward advancement of the ram.

Referring in general to FIG. 4, the elements of a device, such as atantalum capacitor 2li, which may be manufactured according to theprinciples of the invention, are shown. The capacitor 29 includes ahollow cylindrical capacitor container or can 21 which is provided witha lead wire 22 depending therefrom. A dielectric surface of tantalumoxide is formed on a sintered tantalum anode 23. The anode 23 isprovided with a lead wire 24 that extends upwardly from the uppersurface thereof. The anode lead wire 24 is forced through an aperture 25provided in a ceramic insulating disc or washer 27. The disc 27 has adiameter which exceeds the diameter of the anode. The insulating disc 27is suitably iixed or sealed to the upper surface of the anode 23.

The anode 23 and the container are assembled to partially complete thefabrication of the capacitor 2d by means of a solidified mass ofelectroconductive fusible material, such as solder 28, which surroundsthe anode 23 and the ceramic disc 27. The solder 2S supports the anode23 at a predetermined position relative to the container walls 2&9.Further assembly operations for completing the capacitor Ztl may includepouring a potting compound into the cavity formed by the container walls29 and the disc 27.

Referring to FIG. 3, a preformed solder pellet 3l is shown (in dottedlines) placed within the container 2li. The solder pellet 3l is fusedupon energization of a heater coil 3?; (see FlGS. l and 2). The tantalumanode 2.3 is then advanced downwardly by an electrically conductive,metal ram 34 and is inserted into the fused solder. The ram advances theanode 23 into the fused solder Ztl so that a portion of the solder isdisplaced upwardly and reaches the level of the ceramic disc 27;

As shown in FG. 2, the solder 23 squeezes through a space 35 between thedisc 27 and the container walls 29 onto an annular exposed section 25 ofthe upper surface of the disc 27 and into contact with an annularsection or exposed surface 3rd of the ram. A control circuit 37 (seeFIG. 5) is rendered effective upon the solder 2.8 contacting the surface3d of the ram 34 for interrupting advancement of the ram, which thenholds the anode 23 stationary in the solder 28. The solder solidies andsupports the anode 25 within the container. The ram then reverseswhereupon the solidified solder on the annular section 25a' of the diseZ7 holds the anode 23 xed within the container 2l.

lt is to be noted while still referring to FIG. 2, that the fused solderis precluded from touching the anode lead wire 24 during the assemblyoperation inasmuch as the disc 27 is fixed to the upper surface of theanode 23. Further, the lower surface of the ram drtightly engages theupper surface of the disc Z7. Thus, during theassembly operation, thedisplaced fused solderZS cannot contact the lead wire 24 and thus cannotcause `a short-circuit between the container 2li and the lead on the bed39 `is shown supporting a ceramic workholder or iixture ld that isprovided with an aperture 47 for receiving and holding a capacitorcontainer Zi with a snug it. rlhe capacitor container 2l is placedwithin aV workholder section d8 of the aperture so that the lead wire 22extends downwardly through a smaller section 49 thereof and passes anaperture 5l formed in the side of the base d4. A clip, such as astandard alligator-type clip 52, may be extended through the aperture Siand is fastened to the lead wire 22 for electrically connecting thecapacitor container 2l to the control circuit 37 shown Vin FIG. 5. Theheater coils 32 of an induction heater 33 (FIG. 5) surround the slopingouter walls 53 of the ceramic worlcholder de for Yfusing the solderpellet 3l that is placed within the capacitor container 2l during theassembly. i

Attention is now directed to HG. 2 where the lower end of the ram 3d isshown provided with an external insulating sleeve 5d that abuts ashoulder 56 formed in the ram. rl`he outer diameter of the insulatingsleeve 54 is approximately the same or slightly less than the in-Vternal diameter of the capacitor container 2li so that upon advancementoi the insulating sleeve into the container, the sleeve engages andcenters the ram 3d within the container. A resilient insulating tube Sdwhich is closed at one end is inserted into an axial aperture or slot 57that is machined in the lower end of the ram 3d. After 'the anode 23 andthe ceramic disc 27 have been assembled, the anode lead wire 2d isinserted into the resilient tube 5S. The tube 58 grips the lead wirewith suthcient force to prevent the anode trom falling out of the slot57 by its own weight, while permitting the anode to be removed therefromby the application of a small additional external force, such as thefrictional forces between the container 2l. and the iixture do. Theinsulative tube Eti, which may be made out of rubber, further precludeselectrical contact between the anode lead wire and the ram 3d. When theanode lead wire 2d has been fully inserted into the tube 58, the ceramicdisc 27 abuts the lower surface ot the ram'dd Y and insulates the anode23 from electrical contact with the ram. lt may be appreciated that thelower portion oi the ram 3d is enclosed by the insulating sleeve 54 andthe ceramic dise 27 except for the annularexposed sur face Se betweenthe insulating sleeve and the ceramic disc 27. Y

1 A second contact, or alligator-type clip 59, is mechanically attachedto the ram 3d for electrically connecting the ram to the control circuit37 shown in FIG. 5.

' A probe or belt 6l of a ram overtravel or limit mechanism 62 isadjustably mounted to a supporting fixture d3 that is fixed` to the ram3d. The probe el is advanced bythe ram 34, into contact with a contactplate 6d that is mounted on an Vinsulating member (ad. rlhe probe di andthe contact plate tid are each connected to the control circuit 37 forenergizing the latterto interrupt downward advancement of the ram l isilient insulative tube 53. The lead wire 2d is advanced in the tubeuntil the ceramic disc 27 abuts the lowermost end oi the ram so that theannular section 25 of the upper surface ot the disc is exposed, Theclips 52 and 59 are then respectively attached to the container leadwire 22 and the rain 3d.

At this time, the control circuit 37 is operated for energizing the coil32 of the induction heater 33 whereupon the solder pellet 3l fuses andforms a solder bath 23 in the container 2l. The control circuit 37 isfurther eilective at this time to actuate the pneumatic motor controlvalveV 4t2 which actuates the pneumatic motor 4l for advancing the ram3d downwardly. Downward advancement of the ram 34 inserts the anode 23into the now 'fused solder bath 2S (see FiG. 3) whereupon a portion ofthe solder is displaced upwardly along the inner walls ZS? of thecontainer. As the anode 23- is further advanced downwardly, the ceramicYdisc 27 slides along the inner walls ot the containerrto center' theanode within the container 2li. Further .advancement ot the ram movesthe insulating sleeve 54 into sliding engagement with the inner walls Z9of the container 2l to prevent electrical contact between the ram andthe walls ot the container. inasmuch as the exposed annular surface ?:6of the ram has a smaller diameter than the internal diameter of thecontainer, the ram neither electrically nor mechanically contacts thecontainer. l

Further downward advancementof the ram 34- displaces the solder 2S'until a small portion of the solder is squeezed upwardly through thespace 35 between the ceramic disc 27 and the walls 29 of the container21. The solder advances through the space 35 onto the annular section 25of the disc and into contact with the exposed annular surface 36 of theram 3e (see FG. 2). The solder'ZS contacting the exposed surface 36 ofthe ram completes a circuit that may be traced from the control circuit37, through the ram clip 59, through the ram 34, through the juncture ofthe ram surface 36 and the solder, through theY solder 28, through ,thecontainer 2l, through the container lead wi-re 22, `and through thecontainer lead clip 52 to the control circuit 37 whereupon Y the controlcircuit is rendered effective to actuate the hydro-check unit 4?. |Thehydro-checkrunit 43 then is eiective to vpreclude furtherV downwardadvancement of the ram 34. Y

As the ram 34 starts to advance the anode 23 into theY container, theheater 33 is deenergized. Therefore, after the downward advancement ofthe ram 34 is interrupted and the anode 23 is held stationary invthersolder 2d for a shortV interval, the solder cools and becomessuiciently hardened to support and hold the anode 23 in the desired Yposition within the container.

In the operation of the apparatus, the capacitor container 2l isinserted within the workholder section iS of the aperture i7 and asolder pellet 3l of predetermined size is inserted within the containerr[he ceramic Vdisc Z7 is placed over the anode lead wire 2d and issealed to the upper surface of the anode. The leadwire 24 is theninserted into and releasahly gripped by the re`V Irf a solder pellet 3lis undersized, the ram must advance the anode through an additionaldistance into the container to displace the solder into contact with theram surface 36. 'lfhe probe 6l of the limit mechanism 62 is adjustedrelative to the fixture 63 to` engage the contact plate 6d when the ramadvances through the additional dist-ance. A circuit is therebycompleted for rendering the control circuit 37 effective to energize thehydrocheck unit 43 which interrupts further downward advancement of theram 34 to prevent the anode 23 from engagingthe bottom ofthe container2li;l 'Y v The control circuit 37 thenY actuates thepneumatic motorcontrol valve l2 for reversing the ram 34. The anode lead wire 2d thenslips out of the resilient tube 58 to permit the anode 23 to remaininthe solidiied solder 2S within the container 2li. Y

Referring to FIG. 5, the electrical circuit 37-for controlling the press38 is shown includinga power supply 71 which energizes a transformer 72.A secondary line 73 of the transformer y72 is connected'to a controlswitch 74, and series connected switches 76 and '77.

Prior to closing the switches 74, 76, and 77, the operator energizes aD.C. power supply 78 that supplies power through a normally closedcontact 141 and through a ready indicating lamp 79, to ground. Theoperator then closes the switches 74, 76, and 77. Closure of the switch74 completes a circuit that may be traced from the secondary line 73through the now closed switch '74, through a relay Si?, to ground.ldnergization of relay 86 draws up a contact 31 that completes a circuitthat may be traced from the secondary line '73, through the now closedcontact 81, and through a timer 31B to ground. Energization of the timeris effective to close a normally-open contact 83 for a predeterminedinterval even if the contact yS1 is opened during that interval. Closureof the contact 83 completes a circuit that may be traced from the line73, through the Contact 83, and through the heater 33 to ground.Energization of the heater 33 `commences melting the solder pellet 31that has previousjbeen placed Yin the capacitor container 21. Thepredetermined interval ends as the anode 23 is being inserted into thecontainer y21, whereupon the contact 83 is released and opens todeenergize the heater 33.

Closure of the series-connected switchesv 76 and '77 completes a circuitthat may be traced from the secondary line 73 and through a latchingrelay 90 to ground. Each time that the latching relay 91D is energized,the position of latching contacts 91 through 94 is reversed. Thelatching contacts remain in their reversed position when the relay 91)is deenergized and are not released and reversed until the relay isagain energized. Energization of the latching relay 9h releases threenormally-closed latching contacts 92, 93, and 94 and draws up andlatches a normally-open latching contact 91.

Closure of contact 91 completes a circuit that may be traced from thesecondary line 73 through the now closed contact91and through atime-delay relay 16111 to ground. The relay 100 delays for apredetermined interval during which the heater 33 melts the solder,whereupon the relay is effective to draw up a normally open contact 101and open a normally closed contact 1M.

Closure of the contact 101 completes a circuit that may be traced fromthe D.C. power supply 78, through the now-closed contact 161, andthrough a parallel connection of lirst, capacitor 166, and a relay 120,and secondly,

a relay 140, to ground. During 'the charging of capacitor 106, the relay120 is energized and draws up a contact 121 to complete a circuit thatmay be traced through the secondary of.A a transformer 115, through thenow-closed `contact 121, and through a RAM DOWN coil 116 of a solenoid117 to the transformer 115. Energization of the RAM DOWN coil 116actuates the pneumatic motor controlrvalve 4Z which locks in positionfor supplying air pressure to the pneumatic motor 41 to move the ram 34downwardly. When kthe capacitor 196 ceases charging, the relay 121) isdeenergized and the contact 121 is opened. Because the control valve 42is locked in position, the ram 34 continues to descend. f

Simultaneously with closure of the contact 1111 the relay 14) isenergized and releases the contact 141 and draws up a normally opencontact 142. Openingl of the contact 141 extinguishes the ready lamp 79.Closure of the contact 142 completes a circuit from the power supply 7Sthrough the contact 142, andjthrough a RAM AD- VANCE indicating lamp 84to ground. The operator is 'l f thereby apprised that the ram 34 isabout to descend and may then release and open the switches 7d, 76, and'77. Opening of the switches 74, '76, and 77 opens the circuit kto therelay 100 that may be traced from the line 73,

erga? discharges through a resistor 11)7, and the closed contacts 162and 9?., and is thus conditioned for the next cycle of operation.

The ram 34 then inserts the anode 23 into the container 21 whereupon thetimer Sti times out and opens the heater circuit to deenergize theheater 33. As the ram 34 advances further downwardly, the anode Z3 isinserted into the molten solder 255. A portion of the solder isdisplaced upwardly and is squeezed over the ceramic disc 27 into contactwith the ram surface 36. When the solder contacts the ram surface 36, aRAM STOP circuit is completed. The RAM STOP circuit may be traced fromthe DC. power supply 7d, through a relay 151i, and through the moltensolder connection between the ram surface 36 of ram 3d and the container2:1 to ground.

Energization of the relay 151B draws up three normally open contacts151, 152, and 153. Closure of the contact 151 completes a circuit thatmay be traced from the secondary line '73 through the now closed contact151, over a conductor 15d, and through the relay 911, to ground.Energization of the relay 91B draws up and closes the now open contacts92, @3, and 9d and unlatches the contact 91 which returns to itsnormally open position. Thus, the relay is reset when the contact 151 isclosed.

Closure of the Contact 152 completes a circuit that may he traced fromthe secondary line 73, through the now closed contact 152 and through asecond solenoid 125 to ground. 1rnergization of the solenoid 125actuates the hydro-check unit d3 for interrupting downward advancementof the ram 341. Simultaneously therewith, closure of the Contact 153completes a circuit that may be traced from the secondary line 73,through the now closed contact 153 and through a time delay relay 161i,to ground. At this time, the ram 34 is located and remains at thelowermost position for that particular insertion operation. Buring thetime that the ram 3d remains down, the solder 28 hardens around theanode 23 to support and assemble the anode 'within the container 21inasmuch as the heater coil 32 was deenergized when the anode 23 enteredthe container 21. After the solder solidies suiiiciently, the time delayrelay 161i is eiiective to draw up a normally open contact 161 andrelease a normally closed contact 162.

Closure of the contact 151 completes a circuit that may be traced fromthe power supply '73 through the normally closed Contact 53, through thenow closed contact 161, through a capacitor 1113, and through a relayl110, to ground. As the capacitor 1% charges, the relay 11@ is energizedand draws up a normally open contact 111. Closure of the contact 111completes a circuit that may be traced from the secondary of thetransformer 115, through the now closed contact 111, and through a RAMUP coil 11d of the solenoid 117. Energization of the RAM UP coil 118reverses the pneumatic motor control valve l2 which locks in positionfor advancing the ram 3d upwardly. As the rain 34 advances upwardly, theanode 23 remains iixed and assembled in the container 21 and overcomesthe releasaole gripping force of the insulating tuhe 5S so that the tubeslips orli` the lead wire 2d. The circuit through the solder is therebyopened so that the relay 15@ is deenergized. n

Deenergization of the relay 151B releases the contacts 151, 152, and153. The circuits through the relay 169 and the solenoid are therebyopened for conditioning the apparatus for another cycle of operation.When the capacitor 1113 is charged, the relay 11@ is deenergized andreleases the contact 111 which deenergizes the RAM UP coil 11S. Thepneumatic motor control valve 412, however, has locked in the UPposition so that the rain continues to advance upwardly. y

Opening the circuit to the relay 16@ causes the relay 1d@ to release thecontact 162. The released contact 162 closes to complete a kcircuit thatmay be traced from the capacitor 111%, through a resistor 109, throughthe contact 9d, and through the contact 162. The capacior 111gdischarges through this circuit and is then conditioned for the nextcycle of operation.

lf the solder pellet 3l is too small for the conguration of the anode2,3 and the container 2li, the probe 6l engages the contact plate 64 asabove-described. The probe 6i and the contact plate 64 are (FlG. 5)connected to the same part of the control circuit 37 as the ram 34 andthe container 2l so that a circuit is completed through the relay l@when the probe hits the plate. Upon energization of the relay b, theapparatus is restored and conditioned for another cycle of operation inthe manner described above.

VAn emergency stop circuit which may be controlled Y by the operator, isprovided for interrupting the downward advancement of the ram. Uponascertaining a Vdangerous or other condition which necessitatesinterrupting the downward advancement of the ram, the operator closes adouble pole, single throw switch intl. Closure of the switch 168completes a circuit that may be traced from the secondary line '73through a rst pole R67 of the switch lo@ over the conductor 154 andthrough the relay 9@ to ground. The relay 9b is thereby energized.solenoid lil. The ram 3d is thereby advanced upwardly to avoid thedanger that prompted the operator to close 'the switch i167.

lt is to be understood that the above-described arrangejments are simplyillustrative of the application of the principles of this invention.Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled inthe art which will embody the principles of the invention and fallwithin the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

ductive article into an electrically conductive bath received in acontainer, electrically conductive means for advancing the articlewithinthe container to displace the conductive bath about the' articleinto contact with the advancing means, and means rendered el'fectiveupon contact of the conductive bath with the advancing means forinterrupting operation of the advancing means.

2. in a device for inserting a component into a liquid conductorreceived in a container, means for moving the component into thecontainer ,to displace a. predetermined portion of the liquid conductor,and means actuated by the displaced portioncontacting the componentmoving means for interrupting operation of the component mov- Yingmeans.` v

Spin a device for assembling an insulating member Within a cancontaining an electrically-conductive iiuid,

the ram and the member into said container to dispiace the liuid aroundsaid member and into contact with the vor i. in a device for insertingan electrically non-conv ram, and an electrical circuit completed by thefluid conmeans completed upon contact of the displaced solder 1 With theadvancing means for interrupting operation of the advancing means.

5. In a device for controlling the depth of` insertion of a capacitoranode in a pool of solder received in a capacitor container, janinsulated bed supporting the capacit-or container, a ram for holding thecapacitor anode, means for advancing the ram and the anode into the poolof solder to displace a portion of theY solder into contact with ltheram, a normally open circuit connected to the ram and to the containerclosed by contact with the ram of the solder displaced by the anode, andmeans actuated by the closed circuit for interrupting operation of theram advancing means.

6. ln ya device for controlling-the depth of advancement of a tantalurncapacitor :anode into a capacitor casing containing a solder pellet, abed for supporting the casing, heating means for melting the solderpellet to form g a solderbath, a ram having means for holding the anode,

means for advancing the ram and the anode into the bath to displace aportion of the bath into contact with the ram, and electrical controlcircuit means closedrby the displaced bath contacting the ram forinterrupting operation of the ram advancing means.

7. In a device for assembling a component in a container receiving apellet of solder, a support for the container, heater means for fusingthe solder pellet, means for energizing the heater means for a lirstpredetermined interval to fuse the solder Whereafter the solderresolidies, electrical means conductingV for advancing the componentinto the container to displace a portion of said fused solder intocontact with the advancing means, normally-open circuit means connectedbetween the advancing means and the container and completed by thedisplaced solder contacting said advancing means, means operated by thecompleted circuit for interrupting operation of said advancing means,and means rendered effec- .tive after a second predetermined intervalsuflicient to allow res-olidiiication of said fusible solder forreversing the advancing means. y Y l 8. in a device for assembling aninsulated component in a cylindrical metal cancontaining liquid solder,a metal ram having a diameter less than the internal diameter of thecan, 'a normally open electric circuit connected to the ram and the canfor establishing an electric potential across the ram and the can, aninsulating sleeve having an external diameter slightly less than theinternal diameter of the can, said sleeve mounted on the ram so that anexposed section of the ramprojects beyond the sleeve,

an insulating member mounted on the-ram' for holdingV the componentrinabutment with the exposed section of the ram, ram advancing means for4sliding the sleeve along the inner wall of the can to displace thesolder around the component into contact with the exposed section of theram and complete the normally open circuit, and means actuated by thecompleted circuit for interrupting operationf'of the ram advancingmeans.

9. In an apparatus for assembling a dielectric coated anode in a can,said anode having an insulating disc mounted on the top surface, a xturefor supporting said can with a pellet of solder therein, means forheating and melting the solder, a cylindrical ram having a diameter lessthan the diameter of said disc, means on said ram for holding said-anodewith the disc abutting and radially projecting beyond the ram, means foradvancing ,said ram to insert said anode in the solderto Vdisplace saidsolder around saiddisc into contact with ysaid ram, an electricalcircuit completed by said solder contacting said ram, (and meansoperated by the completion ofy said circuit for interrupting operationof saidadvancing means. A

ll). kIn an apparatus for vassembling an insulator member in a meltedbath oisolder received in a container, means for maintaining the solderbathV melted for a rst Vpredetermined time whereafter the soldersolidies, an

to submerge the member in the melted solder, an electricalV circuitcompletedvthrough saidrarn and solder, means Y, operated by saidcompleted circuit forimaintainin'g the ram in itjs'advanced positionWhile the Vsolder solidies,

means rendered eifective after a second predetermined time sutlicient toallow the solder to solidify for restoring the ram to the initialposition leaving the member emlbedded in the solder, and means forholding the container against movement with the ram so that theresilient holder slips of the member.

l1. In a press for assembling a component in a can containing apredetermined amount of liquid solder, a press rarn for holding thecomponent, a press bed, a Workholder mounted on vthe bed for supportingthe container, a contact plate mounted on the press bed, means foradvancing the ram and the component a predetermined distance into thesolder to displace the solder into contact with the ram, a circuitcompleted by the solder contacting the ram, means actuated by thelcompleted circuit for interrupting operation of the advancing means,and a safety probe moved into contact with the contact plate by the rammoving through a distance greater than said predetermined distance forcompleting said circuit.

12. In an apparatus for assembling a container having a fused solderbath and a component provided With a lead wire that extends through adisc secured to the upper surface thereof; a cylindrical metal ramhaving a diameter less than the diameter of the `disc; said ram'providedwith insulated means for resiliently gripping the lead wire to maintainthe disc in abutment with the ram so that an annular surface of the discprojects radially beyond the ram; ram advancing means for submerging thecomponent in the fused solder to displace solder onto the annularsurface and into contact with the ram; a circuit completed through thecontainer, the solder, and the ram; means operated by the completedcircuit for maintaining the component and the disc submerged While thesolder solidifies; means rendered effective after a predetermined timedelay sutlicient to allow solidication of the solder for retracting theram leaving the component held in the container by the solidified solderon the an- 10 nular surface, and means for preventing the container frommoving lwith .the ram so that the insulated means releases the leadWire.

13. In a device for inserting an electrically non-conductingcomponent'into an electrically conductive fusible material received in acontainer,

heating means surrounding said container for maintaining said fusiblemaetrial in a liquid state,

electrically conducting means for inserting the component into thecontainer to displace the liquid upwardly about the component, saidmeans having a longitudinal slot for releasably receiving and grippingthe component,

circuit means completed by the contact of said upwardly displaced liquidWith the inserting means for interrupting the motion of said insertingmeans,

means rendered effective after a rst predetermined time for deactivating,the heating means to allow soliditication of said fusible material togrip the inserted component, and

means rendered elective after a second predetermined time delaysufficient to allow solidication of said liquid for retracting theinserting means to release the component held in the longitudinal slot.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,789,709 l/3lPoole 113-95 XR 2,264,703 12/41 Lenz 113-126 2,619,063 ll/SZ Anderson1l3126 2,926,231 2/ 60 McDowell 219-85 XR CHARLES W. LANHAM, PrimaryExaminer. JOHN F, CAMPBELL, Examiner,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,181,227 May 4, 1965 William G. Grainger et al.

It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patentrequiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read asCorrected below.

Column l, line 39, for "path" read bath column 6, line l2, for "'The"read The column 8, line Z4, for "electrical means conducting" readelectrically conducting means Signed and sealed this 5th day of October1965.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER EDWARD J. BRENNER Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. IN A DEVICE FOR INSERTING AN ELECTRICALLY NON-CONDUCTIVE ARTICLE INTOAN ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE RECEIVED IN A CONTAINER, ELECTRICALLYCONDUCTIVE MEANS FOR ADVANCING THE ARTICLE WITHIN THE CONTAINER TODISPLACE THE CONDUCTIVE BATH ABOUT THE ARTICLE INTO CONTACT WITH THEADVANCING MEANS, AND MEANS RENDERED EFFECTIVE UPON CONTACT OF THECONDUCTIVE BATH WITH THE ADVANCING MEANS FOR INTERRUPTING OPERATION OFTHE ADVANCING MEANS.